Comments
Posted by Linkmeister on August 16, 2002 4:52 PM:
Um, er...I haven't recently, but I once had aspirations of playing rhythm guitar in a country band in Japan (the EM clubs...there was an existing group which needed another guitar). They did the older stuff ('course, that was 1973 anyway, so...); Hank Williams, mid-50s, that kind of thing. I started liking it a bit. The newer stuff just seems "pop" to me; country lyrical themes with easy rock sound.
Posted by Ryan on August 16, 2002 7:51 PM:
Jen used to torture me with country music. It got to the point, though, that I didn't mind it after a while. I even switch to the country channel on Music Choice when I want some background music to ignore.
Much as I appreciate the legacy and artistry of the classics, though, I have to admit I'll go for the diluted pop-esque modern country instead any day. The only real "traditional" sounds that don't grate on me is bluegrass, a genre that got a pretty good boost by the movie O Brother Where Art Thou.
Dammit, now I've got "Man of Constant Sorrow" stuck in my head.
Posted by Jen on August 16, 2002 8:16 PM:
Lest my darling husband make me look like a psycho redneck, I have to say, I grew up on country music. It was always there; there was no getting away from it; and now when I need a little piece of home, that's what I listen to. I'm not crazy about it these days (I blame Garth Brooks and the glut of be-hatted pretty boy-band wannabes singing slightly twangy pop music) but I feel I still need it sometimes, especially when I've had a bad day.
Now that I've reached my thirties, my musical tastes have become really strange. Ryan will tell you all about my new obsession with rap music.
Posted by Stella on August 16, 2002 10:11 PM:
Don't forget that, soon after it stopped being Radio Free Hawaii and not long before it became Da Bomb, 102.7 was best known as K-Country, which was more famous for playing "corporate" country (yes, Faith Hill and Toby Keith, I'm looking at you) than the old-school stuff.
If it's any consolation, I used to hate country music, too, since my dad usually forced Kenny Rogers down my gullet during one too many road trips through West Java. But then he also introduced me to Willie Nelson, and we both love Johnny Cash (especially after he heard The Man in Black singing on U2's Zooropa while I played it in the car) and Patsy Cline - not to mention that I just found out that Dolly Parton's "Shine" is actually a cover of my favorite song by Collective Soul.
And - here's the part where I say "Greg, please don't kill me" - I've gotten myself into alt-country, thanks (or no thanks) to my re-introduction to Wilco and Ryan Adams. I even like Uncle Tupelo's "No Depression."
Posted by NemesisVex on August 17, 2002 3:32 AM:
Stella, just so long as you recognize alt-country means more than Ryan Adams, you'll be fine. >:}
I'm surrounded by country music on the count that I live in one of the satellite capitals of country music, Austin, Texas. But I got into country before I moved to Tayhaas when Emmylou Harris released Wrecking Ball in 1995.
I can't really abide by the corporate country. It's only one degree removed from idol pop anyway. It's what 80s rock turned into during the 90s. Mutt Lange, anyone?
Like Stella, my country is of the alt variety, even though alt.country embraces rockers and rootsy folks alike.
Hem played an in-store performance at Waterloo Records (where I work), and that's some nice Cowboy Junkies-like music. And a continual favorite among the store staff is the Country Teasers, sort of like a Butthole Surfers/Buzzcocks of country.
Posted by Stella on August 17, 2002 9:45 AM:
From Erika Engle's piece:
More recently, KKHN-FM at 102.7, "Double-K Country," was short-lived.
"The reason (it failed) was that it was an FM that got its brains beat out," Malievsky said. AM is "the only place where (country music) will find its home."
Hmmmm...
Posted by Albert on August 17, 2002 11:18 AM:
Hey, it's about time someone gave country another chance here. A shame it has to be AM, but better than nothing.
Posted by macpro on August 17, 2002 11:53 AM:
I'm a rock music fan first, but do listen to and own several country records, tapes and CDs. My mom likes country music and that is how I was first exposed to it. Couldn't stand much of it back then, but over time have learned to actually like a lot of the older stuff....
Patsy Cline is the greatest of all the female country singers.... and while not purely country, Linda Ronstadt has recorded some killer tracks in the genre during the early 1970s.
I also like Johnny Cash ("Ring of Fire" is a great song), Marty Robbins ("Devil Woman," and "El Paso") and others. One of the earliest country songs that I liked from small kid time was "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean, which in 1962 crossed over to the pop charts and became a top 10 hit.
As for alt.country, I am not too familiar with the genre, though someone told me the group Old 97s fit into that category. I have 2 of their albums, and to me they are more rock than country.
As for KHCM, let's hope that there is enough support for the station to keep it on the air for longer than a year. Given however that mostly its the military that listen to country music in this market, it will be rather hard for the station to make money and a dent in the ratings, since the Arbitron Ratings Service does not count the military when they take their surveys. This is probably one reason why country and classic rock music was long absent in this radio market.
Posted by helen on August 17, 2002 7:14 PM:
Manoa Valley Theatre will be doing a muscial about Patsy Cline sometime in early September.
Posted by Jen on August 17, 2002 9:45 PM:
Stella, I'll see your Kenny Rogers and raise you George Jones. Sung along to at the top of my dad's voice. In public.
Seriously, I know why Tammy Wynette left George Jones--he wouldn't stop whining!
Posted by NemesisVex on August 18, 2002 7:54 PM:
Not sure which two Old 97s albums you have, macpro, but Too Far to Care has some heavy twang at the very start of the album. While you can indeed pogo to their music, the country influence is incredibly pronounced.
Alt-country is actually a pretty sketchy term in and of itself -- it embraces rock and punk hybrids of country, as well as roots music so extreme, Nashville radio won't touch it.
That said, almost anything can be alt-country, from Gillian Welch and Lucinda Williams to Jack Ingram and Whiskeytown.
Posted by Albert on August 19, 2002 8:38 AM:
Tried to give the station a chance on the weekend but they were having a "Seventies Weekend" so I quickly gave up. The 70s wasn't a great decade for country music, or for any other kind unless one is nostalgic for disco. :)
Posted by Stella on August 19, 2002 11:34 AM:
Jen, I was going to bring it up during the picnic, but... heck, after reading about that George Jones thing, I really feel your pain.
From the December 2001 Esquire:
"Once, when his wife hid the car keys, George Jones rode his mower to the local saloon."
And you thought "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" was a joke.
And Albert, as much as I love disco, funk, and classic rock, even I would have to admit that '70s-era country music makes me want to hurl myself over a cliff. (But then, I grew up with '80s country, which made me barf even worse.)
And speaking of country music... God Bless The Smoking Gun. (Chicken not included.)
Posted by NemesisVex on August 21, 2002 9:19 PM:
The 70s wasn't a great decade for country music, or for any other kind unless one is nostalgic for disco. :)
Or punk.
Posted by macpro on August 21, 2002 9:36 PM:
Country music in the 70s transitioned from the twangy stuff of previous decades to more orchestral, pop music influences in hopes perhaps of crossing over to the pop charts. A number of country songs actually did cross over to the pop charts in the 1970s including "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" by Freddie Fender, "Rose Garden" by Lynn Anderson, "Rhinestone Cowboy" by Glenn Campbell, "Lucille" and others by Kenny Rogers and many more.... The Southern Rock guys like Charlie Daniels probably had some of their songs cross over to the country charts. I think even Paul McCartney & Wings had a song cross over to country.... "Sally G" in 1975.
While many may not like 70s music in general, the decade did produce fun, if not disposable guilty pleasures.... including disco, punk, and new wave. And you know when you really think about it, there was some pretty decent rock n roll that came out of that decade.. but then that is for another thread.....
Let's try and keep this thread country if at all possible.
Posted by Stella on August 21, 2002 10:14 PM:
A number of country songs actually did cross over to the pop charts in the 1970s including "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" by Freddie Fender, "Rose Garden" by Lynn Anderson, "Rhinestone Cowboy" by Glenn Campbell, "Lucille" and others by Kenny Rogers and many more....
Holy crapola, Macpro, that sounds like the pirated mix tape my Dad had in the car during all those years that I lived with him. But enough about my life.
Speaking of overcoming aversions, there's some decent pop-ish "corporate country stuff" that I like. Lee Ann Womack, for one thing; I still think "I Hope You Dance" is one of the prettiest songs ever written. "Bring on the Rain" by JoDee Messina is a current favorite - the lyrics just hit me in all the right places, and it also helps that Tim McGraw (who not only shares my birthday but is also exactly ten years older than me... and, incidentally, whom I find strangely hot) sings pretty good backup vocals on that track. I still haven't heard the new Dixie Chicks album, though, but I've always liked them, too.
As much as I try not to like her too much (even though she is married to Tim and all), I still sing a lot of Faith Hill's stuff in the shower, just because I get good reverb from the bathroom tiles whenever I hit the high notes on "Breathe."
And, well, no discussion of country should go without a mention of Cletus (sp?) T. Judd, who is to country what Weird Al is to pop-rock. ("My Cellmate Thinks I'm Sexy" and "Did I Shave My Back For This?" - nuff said.)
Posted by NemesisVex on August 22, 2002 4:08 AM:
When country music had a "resurgence" in the early 90s, I saw a lot of ink spilled about how the genre hadn't been so popular -- or profitable -- since the 70s. I was still a kid during the 70s, but I do remember hearing country everywhere on television (BJ and the Bear, anyone?), and who could avoid Urban Cowboy or The Electric Horseman?
Then again, the rise of Garth Brooks in the 90s would not have been possible without Soundscan. Used to be stores would phone in numbers to the trade magazines (Billboard, et al), and those calls could easily be influenced by cash.
there was some pretty decent rock n roll that came out of that decade
In the way that all politics are local, inevitably, all music sucks. Hipsters will hate what's popular, mature folks will hate what kids are listening to, and art snobs will despise anything written before 1899.
Posted by NemesisVex on August 22, 2002 4:18 AM:
Dagnabit! I wanted to press "Preview", not "Post"!
To finish ...
It's the whole trash-treasure paradigm. How the music industry manages to sell mass quantities of one act in spite of people's divergent tastes is pretty mind-boggling.
Posted by me :) on October 8, 2002 10:13 AM:
like country very much...glad there's a station to listen to once again! :)
Posted by Karen on October 25, 2002 1:04 PM:
I have been in Hawaii since June and I am so happy to have FINALLY found a country station. I am definately not to embarassed to admit to being a country fan. I was raised on it and and I am proud of it!!!!
Posted by Local Fan/Supporter on November 12, 2002 6:11 PM:
I hope this one lasts longer than the previous FM station...Double K Country! The trouble with local country is that the format is handled by the same radio personality that eroded the past stations! Self interest and a big ego keeps the format from growing and entering Hawaii's mainstream. There are many supporters out there that need to be acknowledged and rounded up. The station needs to gather the key fans in Hawaii that are willing to organize and assist in the promotion aspects. Contemporary Country is easy to swallow, but is not introduced in innovative ways. Most know of Shania, Faith, & Dixie Chioks and have not been introduced to the deeper roots that bring them to the foreground. There are thousands of misguided Line Dancers that have no clue of what they are dancing to. Restaurants and clubs do not embrace country music because there is a strong prejudice and stigma to overcome here. I copuld go on and on, but you know what I am trying to say about the whole thing. Much to do and consider before success! Let's leave no one out of the promotion of Country Music inb Hawaii!
Posted by Noe on January 19, 2003 5:42 PM:
If there was a country nightclub and I mean real country nightclub, not Nashville Waikiki,( more like Cowboys in Colorado Springs,) in Hawaii, would anyone go?
Posted by local fan/supporter on January 20, 2003 3:08 PM:
"Real" country club? Hawaii is a mixed bag of various cultures. A country club would have to be owned by a committed "country" owner. There are many country fans in Hawaii...locals, visitors, & military. It's a matter of catering to this diverse community. The appeal will need to be a statement! It should be large with a large dance floor, great inexpensive food, family oriented during earlier hours of business, a combination of local "country" entertainment and ocassional concerts by guest artists from the mainland.The word committment is a key factor in making it work. Pecos River Cafe was one of the few committed country vneues in Hawaii. It would take a large inverstment and vision to accomplish this. As said above it would take a collaboration of fans, radio,media,& bucks to make it work! Country music is classic, but marketing it in today's market takes professional expertise. Just my 3 cents worth.
Posted by Caroline Wright on April 17, 2003 2:04 PM:
Hello, O`ahu Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Lovers!
Are you lonesome for that high lonesome sound? Missing the twang of a banjo?
Pining for the wail of a fiddle? Well, it's time to JAM!
The first jam session of the O`ahu Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Society (or
whatever we decide to call it) will be held next month at Thomas Square,
just across from the Honolulu Academy of Arts. If you're interested in live
bluegrass music in a friendly, informal atmosphere, and meeting other O`ahu
residents who love bluegrass and acoustic music, PLEASE COME!
EVENT: The first jam session of the O`ahu Bluegrass and Acoustic Music
Society (immediately preceded by a short business meeting; time to get
organized!)
DATE: Sunday, May 11, 2003
TIME: 1:00-5:00 PM
LOCATION: Thomas Square, across from the Honolulu Academy of Arts at 900
South Beretania Street, Honolulu
PARKING: Street parking, or at the Blaisdell Center's parking garage/lot
BRING: Instruments, lawn chairs, sunscreen, beverages, friends and family
who like bluegrass music, and your favorite potluck dish!
If you have any questions or comments, please call Caroline Wright at
622-1077, or email c@wrightforyou.com. Thanks, and we hope to see you on May
11th!
Posted by Supportet/Fan on May 14, 2003 5:02 PM:
When is the next Bluegrass jam session? I missed the first one!
Posted by j on June 2, 2003 10:34 AM:
Yes, when is the next bluegrass jam? I missed the first one too--only just heard about it on Bluegrass Country. I am a devoted listener.
Posted by Renee on June 24, 2003 5:56 PM:
I am a local girl who loves country music - the new country. I've been listening for about 5-6 years now and love it!! How is that place Nashville? I've never been there - being in Waikiki and all. I hardly get down there too often. Sounds like a fun place, though. Do they have live bands?
Posted by Russ on July 1, 2003 7:40 PM:
Howdy, Renee! I am happy to hear that you enjoy today's country music. I have a live band that has been performing "New Country" for approximately nine years in Hawaii. We are called the Full Circle Band featuring Cameron. It has been a constant struggle to find gigs locally because of much stereotyping in Hawaii towards the music. We've been trying to break the so called "Country Western" stigma for a long time. We have had a successful run in June performing at the Shack restaurant/bar in Mililani. Please share your email address with me and I will keep you updated with our performance schedule. We are all local folk who enjoy the music too! Nashville Waikiki does not have live music. We used to perform there on Sundays about five years ago.Please keep in touch. Aloha 'ya all, Russ
Posted by Caroline Wright on September 11, 2003 11:22 AM:
Hello, O`ahu Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Lovers!
It's time for another big bluegrass & traditional jam session, and I hope that some of you country fans can come and join us!
The fourth jam session of BLUEGRASS HAWAI`I will be held this Sunday, September 14, at Thomas Square, 900 S. Beretania St., just across from the Honolulu Academy of Arts. If you're interested in live bluegrass music in a friendly, informal atmosphere, and meeting other O`ahu residents who love bluegrass and acoustic music, PLEASE JOIN US!
Over THREE DOZEN musicians have come to each of our jam sessions. They usually split up into smaller groups, speaking whatever musical dialects they have in common! At any jam, you might hear tunes written or popularized by Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Alison Krauss, John Prine, Hazel Dickens, Hank Williams, Peter Rowan, Gram Parsons, Norman Blake, and many others. We've always got fiddles, banjos, mandolins, Dobros, guitars, and upright bass fiddles making fine music! It's a terrific family event, and a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Please visit our site to see more cool Hawai`i bluegrass stuff, and some photos from our sessions!
EVENT: Bluegrass Hawai`i Jam Session
DATE: Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003
TIME: 1:00-5:00 PM
COST: FREE! FREE! FREE!
LOCATION: Thomas Square, across from the Honolulu Academy of Arts at 900
South Beretania Street, Honolulu
PARKING: Street parking, or at the Blaisdell Center's parking garage/lot
BRING: Lawn chairs or blanket to sit on, picnic lunch, beverages, friends and family, frisbees and games for the kids, dogs on leashes, and traditional stringed instruments, if you've got 'em!
If you have any questions or comments, or if you'd like us to add you to our mailing list, please contact Caroline Wright at 622-1077 or c@wrightforyou.com. Thanks, and we hope to see you on Sunday!
Posted by macpro on September 12, 2003 9:17 PM:
The previous post sounded so commercial that it reminded me of spam.
Posted by macpro on September 12, 2003 9:27 PM:
Do we have any Johnny Cash fans on this board? It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of this great talent in the field of country music, blues, gospel and even rock n roll. He is one of the original rock n roll artists who first recorded for Sun Records in the 1950s....
I will forever remember his songs like "Ring of Fire," "Folsom Prison Blues," "I Walk the Line," "One Piece at a Time," "A Boy Named Sue", "Ghostriders in the Sky," and more recently "Rusty Cage" (originally done by Soundgarden) and "Hurt" originally done by N.I.N. This guy was truly the first and original "Man in Black".
Farewell Johnny....
Johnny Cash.com
Posted by NemesisVex on September 15, 2003 5:54 AM:
I don't own a single Johnny Cash album, and I may never. But it's tough not to appreciate his perseverance and longevity.
Posted by Caroline on November 26, 2003 8:13 AM:
You’re invited to Bluegrass Hawai`i’s BIG HOLIDAY JAM on Sunday, December 14, 1-5 PM, at Thomas Square, 900 S. Beretania, Honolulu. It’s FREE! Bring a potluck dish, blanket or lawnchairs, beverages, and traditional stringed instruments (banjos, fiddles, guitars, mandolins) if you’ve got ‘em! You don’t have to play an instrument to enjoy the jam session. If you love that high lonesome sound, you’ll have a mighty fine time!
Posted by macpro on November 26, 2003 9:28 AM:
When I started this topic last year, it was created for the specific purpose of discussion for country music, and country music radio. It has over time DEVOLVED into a spamming message board for Bluegrass Hawaii. I think Bluegrass Hawaii ought to simply start their own thread on this message board specifically for the announcements of their events. Let's revert this back to the DISCUSSION of country music and not make this an event message board for only one organization.
Ryan, are you listening?????
MEL
Hates Spam
Posted by Caroline on November 26, 2003 9:50 AM:
Mel,
First of all, how is this spam if I'm not selling anything? Bluegrass Hawai`i is a jam society, a FREE jam society. There are no membership dues, and no charge to attend our jam sessions.
I posted a message about our first jam (May 11 of this year) back in April. Here are the two posts which followed IMMEDIATELY:
Posted by Supportet/Fan on May 14, 2003 05:02 PM: When is the next Bluegrass jam session? I missed the first one!
Posted by j on June 2, 2003 10:34 AM: Yes, when is the next bluegrass jam? I missed the first one too--only just heard about it on Bluegrass Country. I am a devoted listener.
Then, in June, I got a message from Ryan Ozawa, who thought the posts might find a home on those pages:
Aloha e Caroline, I probably don't need to be added to your mailing list, but I'd definitely post an invitation for others to join with your update. For whatever reason, folks are landing at HawaiiStories.com searching for information on bluegrass music in Hawaii - it would be great if they could find the best information through your group. Regards, Ryan
Mel, I never intended to offend you or any of your visitors. Country music and bluegrass music are enjoyed by many of the same people, and it seems that some of your visitors are interested in our jam sessions. But if my posts aren't welcome here, I'll certainly cease and desist.
Posted by Ryan on November 26, 2003 1:11 PM:
Caroline, I don't think ongoing new posts for new events were neccessary, and Mel's concern isn't out of the blue (note his response to your Sept. 11 post). And since you've posted my e-mail, I should also note that it was in response to your adding me to your e-mail distribution list without permission (which, commercial or not, can sure smell like spam), and also note that I said "an invitation" (not monthly announcements) — just a pointer here to the right place elsewhere on the web to get more information. I'm presuming the "Bluegrass Hawaii" page you mentioned above is that place?
Hear ye, hear ye, anyone else finding themselves here while looking for more information on the Bluegrass Hawaii events, you'll find what you want over here! Mahalo.
Posted by Caddilac Crumb the Nashville Bum on May 20, 2004 9:33 AM:
Hi Hawaii,I played all over Oahu back in the 80's using the name of Loose Loowow,man i would to book back over there.Someone get ahold of me.By the way Jim Mitchell passed away. aloha
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